Serbian defender Rajkovic banned for Games spit

Serbian defender Slobodan Rajkovic was on Friday banned for 12 months for spitting at the referee following his side’s 2-0 defeat by Argentina in a group match at the Beijing Olympics, FIFA announced.

The incident took place after 19-year-old Rajkovic, who plays at Chelsea but has been loaned out to Dutch side Twente, had been one of two Serbian players shown a red card by Abdullah Al Hilali.

A statement from the FIFA Disciplinary Committee read: “At its 1 September 2008 meeting, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to suspend Slobodan Rajkovic (Serbia) for 12 months for spitting at the referee on 13 August 2008 after the Argentina vs. Serbia match at the Olympic Football Tournaments.

“This suspension applies to all national and international matches including club competitions. This decision may be appealed.”